Introduction to systems thinking and system dynamics approach to policy analysis; applications to business management and public policy; key principles of systems; causal-loop and stock and flow models of business growth, technology adoption, and marketing. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to • analyze and model business dynamics; • identify sources of bias in analysis; • communicate the results of research in written form; • use the Vensim software to create simulations; and • critique, test, and improve system models.